At service for fallen deputy, pastor calls for forgiveness

The white hats of law enforcement were ubiquitous during Tuesday's services in Houston for fallen Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Jesse "Trey" Valdez III.

The white hats of law enforcement were ubiquitous during Tuesday's services in Houston for fallen Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Jesse "Trey" Valdez III.

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Staff

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Family members leave the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart past somber salutes after Tuesday's funeral for Deputy Jesse "Trey" Valdez III, who died Oct. 29.

Family members leave the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart past somber salutes after Tuesday's funeral for Deputy Jesse "Trey" Valdez III, who died Oct. 29.

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Staff

At service for fallen deputy, pastor calls for forgiveness

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Hundreds of sheriff's deputies lined Pease Street in downtown Houston Tuesday morning in a sea of dress uniforms and white cowboy hats. Before long, as a bell tolled and a keening bagpipe pierced a cloudy sky, the white-gloved deputies snapped to attention while eight pallbearers guided the casket bearing the body of a colleague - Jesse "Trey" Valdez III - to a hearse waiting nearby.

The deputies were among the colossal crowd who gathered at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart to mourn the 32-year-old deputy, killed last week when an allegedly impaired driver drove into oncoming traffic and smashed into his patrol car.

At the funeral Tuesday, the cathedral's sanctuary - which sits 1,800 - was overflowing with law enforcement officials from around the region, along with other first responders, even 911 dispatchers.

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"Today is a solemn day. There are no words we can offer to a grieving family," Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia told reporters before the funeral.

Garcia said while there was little comfort to be taken in the loss of the young deputy, "The outpouring [of support] the sheriff's office and Valdez's family has received has enabled us to take a bit of the edge off these unfortunate circumstances."

Valdez was the first in-line-of-duty death of one of his deputies since he assumed office nearly six years ago, Garcia said, describing the man as a "hard charger who took action first, who was courageous, dedicated to his job, and strived to be the best deputy he could be."

Garcia had awarded him a Lifesaver Award in June 2013 for helping rescue a man from a house fire several months earlier.

Fond recollections

The fatal crash occurred around midnight Oct. 29, at East Wallisville Road and Honeysuckle Street, as Valdez was working his usual night shift.

A single father and decorated 11-year department veteran, Valdez had worked that shift so he could be at home more with his 10-year-old son, friends said. They also remembered him as a fan of Houston sports teams - especially loving taking his son to games - who'd been excited to start working in the sheriff's K-9 unit.

"He was a good guy, and we're here for his son and mom," said one of Valdez's former sergeants, who did not want to be identified.

Harris County law enforcement descended on the cathedral just after dawn Tuesday, closing the streets around the colossal building hours before a public vigil started at 9 a.m. Shortly after the hourlong traditional Mass, deputies, officers and others lined the street to pay their respects.

There were K-9 units, officers on horses and motorcycles, along with their comrades from the county constables' offices, the Houston Police Department and from agencies as far away as Austin and Corpus Christi.

Along with the hundreds of members of law enforcement agencies from the region who came to wish their fallen comrade farewell were local and federal politicos, including U.S. Reps. Ted Poe and Sheila Jackson Lee, state Sen. Sylvia Garcia, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, and Mike Sullivan, the county's tax-assessor collector.

And on Election Day, District Attorney Devon Anderson took a break from her race - one of the only close political contests in Harris County - to attend the service.

Pleas for prayer

Kelly Jo Ivey, the 29-year-old driver, has been arrested and charged with drug possession for methamphetamines found in her car. Weeks before the fatal crash, she was released from prison, sent there on a drug charge.

Authorities said they believe she was driving under the influence, and took a sample of her blood after the crash. Results from that blood test are pending, authorities say.

During the service, the Rev. Lawrence W. Jozwiak challenged the audience to try to forgive Ivey.

"We need to be bold enough to pray also for the person who has been charged with substance usage and caused this terrible tragedy," he said. "Allow our justice system to take care of it. Pray for her and, yes, our family members and friends with substance abuse, for rehabilitation since substance abuse causes havoc on families and society."

Prosecutors said last week that Ivey, who was on parole for the prior drug conviction, could face first-degree felony charges including intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer.

A passenger who was with her, Casey Byfield, 36, also has been charged with possession of methamphetamines. He has at least seven previous arrests on theft and drug charges.

'We're in it together'

Valdez is the 40th Harris County Sheriff's employee to die in the line of duty in the agency's 177-year history.

Garcia said Valdez's death was a reminder of the risks law enforcement and first responders face every day as they go about their duties.

"This has been beyond difficult," the sheriff said. "We try to find understanding in what all this means. Simply put, we're in it together. Everyone shares a responsibility to keep the community safe."